Long term evolution (LTE) network control of carrier aggregation for user equipment

ABSTRACT

A Long Term Evolution (LTE) access node to serve User Equipment (UEs) with a wireless Carrier Aggregation (CA) data communication service. A data processing system schedules CA Primary Component Carriers (PCCs), CA intra-band Secondary Component Carriers (SCCs) and CA inter-band SCCs for the UEs. A wireless transceiver wirelessly exchanges user data with the UEs based on the scheduling to serve the UEs with the CA PCCs, the CA intra-band SCCs, and the CA inter-band SCCs. The data processing system detects that a number of the UEs exceeds a UE threshold, and in response, identifies the UEs that use an LTE channel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs. The data processing system disables the LTE channel for the UEs that use the LTE channel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs.

RELATED CASES

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/941,947 that was filed on Nov. 16, 2015 and is entitled,“LONG TERM EVOLUTION (LTE) NETWORK CONTROL OF CARRIER AGGREGATION FORUSER EQUIPMENT.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/941,947 is herebyincorporated by reference into this patent application.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Wireless communication networks typically include wireless accesssystems with equipment such as wireless access, control, and routingnodes that provide wireless communication services for User Equipment(UE). A typical wireless communication network includes systems toprovide wireless access across a geographic region, with wirelesscoverage areas associated with individual wireless access nodes. Thewireless access systems exchange user communications between UEs,service providers, and other end user devices. These user communicationstypically include voice calls, data, and signaling.

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a popular wireless data technology. UsingLTE, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB) schedules Resource Blocks usingmodulation formats to increase the efficiency of exchanging wirelessdata. One modulation format that provides various schemes to transmitResource Blocks is Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).OFDM typically uses duplexing schemes such as Time Division Duplexing(TDD) and Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD). TDD separates uplinks fromdownlinks by allocating Resource Blocks into different time slots in thesame frequency band. FDD allocates Resource Blocks into differentfrequency bands. This allows transmitters and receivers to send andreceive data at the same time by altering the frequencies and times atwhich the signals are sent and received.

In some examples, a wireless communication system may employ CarrierAggregation. Carrier Aggregation allows LTE networks to allocatemultiple Resource Blocks simultaneously to aggregate the LTE channel.When carriers are aggregated, each carrier is referred to as a ComponentCarrier. A Primary Component Carrier is typically used to exchangesignaling and data over a primary uplink carrier and downlink carrier.Secondary Component Carriers are typically used to exchange additionaldata over additional uplink and downlink carriers. UEs using CarrierAggregation can typically use one or more Secondary Component Carriers.

Wireless networks can aggregate carriers over frequencies bands usingIntra-Band Contiguous Carrier Aggregation, Intra-Band Non-ContiguousCarrier Aggregation, and Inter-Band Carrier Components. Intra-BandContiguous Carrier Aggregation use Component Carriers that are in thesame frequency band and are adjacent to each other. Intra-BandNon-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation use Component Carriers that are inthe same frequency band but are not adjacent to each other. Inter-BandCarrier Aggregation use Component Carriers that are in differentfrequency bands.

Although Carrier Aggregation allows a faster exchange of data overmultiple Component Carriers, it can also cause inefficiencies to thenetwork since there is a limited amount of Resource Blocks each LTEchannel can allocate. If one UE is using multiple Component Carriers,there are fewer Resource Blocks that may be allocated to other UEs overan LTE channel and therefore, initiating UE connections may be blocked,established UE connections may be dropped, or handover UE connectionsmay be prevented. In addition, UEs using Component Carriers may causesignaling interference for other UEs exchanging data with the LTEnetwork. Unfortunately, there is not an efficient or effective way forLTE networks to control Carrier Aggregation enabled UEs using multipleLTE channels for a Primary Component Carrier and one or more SecondaryComponent Carriers.

Technical Overview

A Long Term Evolution (LTE) access node to serve User Equipment (UEs)with a wireless Carrier Aggregation (CA) data communication service. Adata processing system schedules CA Primary Component Carriers (PCCs),CA intra-band Secondary Component Carriers (SCCs) and CA inter-band SCCsfor the UEs. A wireless transceiver wirelessly exchanges user data withthe UEs based on the scheduling to serve the UEs with the CA PCCs, theCA intra-band SCCs, and the CA inter-band SCCs. The data processingsystem detects that a number of the UEs exceeds a UE threshold, and inresponse, identifies the UEs that use an LTE channel for their CAinter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs. The data processing systemdisables the LTE channel for the UEs that use the LTE channel for theirCA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system tocontrol LTE Carrier Aggregation for User Equipment (UE).

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an LTE communication system to control LTE CarrierAggregation for UEs.

FIG. 7 illustrates an evolved NodeB (eNodeB) to control LTE CarrierAggregation for UEs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system 100to control LTE Carrier Aggregation for User Equipment (UE). LTEcommunication system 100 comprises LTE network 101, UEs 110-112,wireless links 120-122, communication link 123, and externalcommunication systems. LTE network 101 includes LTE transceiver 130 andLTE data processing system 131. LTE network 101 and UEs 110-112communicate over wireless links 120-122. LTE network 101 and externalcommunication systems communicate over communication link 123.

In operation, LTE network 101 wirelessly exchanges data over an LTEchannel with UEs 110-112. LTE network 101 may be exchanging data usingCarrier Aggregation with at least some of UEs 110-112. CarrierAggregation allows LTE network 101 to provide UEs 110-112 with a greateramount of data over a shorter period of time. Carrier Aggregation istypically performed by scheduling multiple Resource Blocks in afrequency band and/or by using various time slots to aggregate the LTEchannel into Component Carriers in which UEs 110-112 may use one or moreComponent Carriers to exchange signaling and data with LTE network 101.A Primary Component Carrier is typically used to exchange signaling anddata over a primary uplink carrier and downlink carrier. SecondaryComponent Carriers are typically used to exchange additional data overadditional uplink and downlink carriers. UEs using Carrier Aggregationcan typically use multiple Secondary Component Carriers but UEs cannotuse multiple Primary Component Carriers.

While some of UEs 110-112 may communicate using multiple ComponentCarriers, other ones of UEs 110-112 may not. Therefore, it should benoted that not all of UEs 110-112 may be exchanging data over the LTEchannel with LTE network 101 using Carrier Aggregation. For example, UEs110-111 may be exchanging data using Carrier Aggregation, but UE 112 maybe exchanging both signaling and data over a Primary Component Carrierwithout using Carrier Aggregation. Carrier Aggregation may be enabledfor UEs 110-112 based on the type of UE, location of UE, InternationalMobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), time of day, Access Point Name (APN),or some other Carrier Aggregation related indication.

In a next operation, LTE network 101 compares a number of UEs 110-112using the LTE channel to an admission threshold, and if the number ofUEs 110-112 exceeds the admission threshold, then LTE network 101identifies UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel for a CarrierAggregation Secondary Component Carrier but not for a CarrierAggregation Primary Component Carrier. UEs 110-112 that are using theLTE channel for a Carrier Aggregation Secondary Component Carrier butnot for a Carrier Aggregation Primary Component Carrier may beidentified based on LTE network 101 by determining that UEs 110-112 areusing the Primary Component Carrier to exchange signaling and data butusing additional Component Carriers to exchange additional data.

For example, UE 110 uses the LTE channel as a Secondary ComponentCarrier to exchange additional data, UE 111 uses the LTE channel as aSecondary Component Carrier to exchange additional data, and UE 112 usesthe LTE channel as its Primary Component Carrier to exchange signalingand data. If the channel admission threshold is exceeded, LTE network101 may identify UE 110 as a UE that is using the LTE channel for aCarrier Aggregation Secondary Component Carrier but not for a CarrierAggregation Primary Component Carrier.

The admission threshold may be a threshold amount the LTE channel canhandle before initiating UE connections are blocked, established UEconnections are dropped, or handover UE connections are prevented. Theadmission threshold may be determined based on a total number of RadioResource Control (RRC) connected UEs 110-112, a total number of UEs110-112 using Carrier Aggregation, hardware limitations, performancelimitations, or some other admission threshold criterion.

The admission threshold may also contain a buffer range admissionthreshold before the actual admission threshold is reached such that UEs110-112 that are using the LTE channel for a Carrier AggregationSecondary Component Carrier but not for a Carrier Aggregation PrimaryComponent Carrier are identified before initiating UE connections areblocked, established UE connections are dropped, or handover UEconnections are prevented. For example, the actual limit on RRCconnected UEs 110-112 may be 500 UEs based on performance limitations.However, once the number of RRC connected UEs 110-112 reaches 495 UEs,UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel for a Carrier AggregationSecondary Component Carrier but not for a Carrier Aggregation PrimaryComponent Carrier are identified.

LTE network 101 disables the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 that are usingthe LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but not for theirPrimary Component Carrier. LTE communication network 101 may disable LTEchannel by LTE network 101 scheduling fewer Resource Blocks for UEs110-112 and instructing UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel fortheir Secondary Component Carrier but not for their Primary ComponentCarrier to narrow their bandwidth based on the new scheduling grants.This allows LTE network 101 to have less channel connections withoutblocking initiating UE connections, dropping established UE connections,or preventing handover UE connections. This may also decrease signalinterference for UEs 110-112 since there would be fewer UEs connectionsinteracting with LTE network 101.

For example, the LTE channel for UE 110 that is using the LTE channelfor its Secondary Component Carrier but not for its Primary ComponentCarrier would be disabled to allow other UE connections that wouldotherwise have been blocked, dropped, or prevented from being handedover if the number of UE connections exceeds 495 UE connections. Thismay also result in less signal interference for UEs 111-112. In thisexample, UE 110 would still be able to exchange signaling with itsPrimary Component Carrier over another LTE channel.

In some examples, LTE network 101 identifies UEs 110-112 that are usingthe LTE channel for a Secondary Component Carrier but not for a PrimaryComponent Carrier, and also using another LTE channel as anotherSecondary Component Carrier. LTE network 101 then disables the LTEchannel for UEs 110-112 that are using another LTE channel for theirSecondary Component Carrier. For example, UE 110 may be using thecurrent LTE channel as a Secondary Component Carrier, a different LTEchannel as a Primary Component Carrier, and another LTE channel as anadditional Secondary Component Carrier. In this example, LTE network 101may disable UE 110 which is using 3 LTE channels before disabling otherUEs which are only using 2 LTE channels if the admission threshold isexceeded.

In some examples, LTE network 101 identifies UEs 110-112 that are usingthe LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but not for theirPrimary Component Carrier and using Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation. LTEnetwork 101 would then disable the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 that areusing the other LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier andusing Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation. Inter-Band Carrier Aggregationuses Component Carriers that are in different frequency bands.

In some examples, LTE network 101 identifies UEs 110-112 that are usinganother LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier and usingIntra-Band Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. LTE network 101 wouldthen disable the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 that are using the otherLTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier and using Intra-BandNon-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. Intra-Band Non-Contiguous CarrierAggregation uses Component Carriers that are in the same frequency bandbut are not adjacent to each other.

In some examples, LTE network 101 identifies UEs 110-112 that are usinganother LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier and usingIntra-Band Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. LTE network 101 would thendisable the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 that are using the other LTEchannel for their Secondary Component Carrier and using Intra-BandContiguous Carrier Aggregation. Intra-Band Contiguous CarrierAggregation use Component Carriers that are in the same frequency bandand are adjacent to each other.

In some examples, after disabling the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 thatare using the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but notfor their Primary Component Carrier, LTE network 101 identifiesadditional UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel for their PrimaryComponent Carrier but not for their Secondary Component Carrier. LTEnetwork 101 then switches their Primary Component Carrier and theirSecondary Component Carrier and disables the LTE channel for theadditional UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel for theirSecondary Component Carrier but not for their Primary Component Carrier.

For example, if the admission threshold is still exceeded afterdisabling UE 110 which is using the LTE channel for its SecondaryComponent Carrier but not for its Primary Component Carrier, LTE network101 may then identify UE 111 which is using the LTE channel for itsPrimary Component Carrier but not for its Secondary Component Carrier.LTE network 101 would then switch its Secondary Component Carrier to beits Primary Component Carrier and disable the LTE channel for UE 111.

In some examples, after disabling the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 thatare using the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but notfor their Primary Component Carrier, LTE network 101 identifiesadditional UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel for their PrimaryComponent Carrier but not for their Secondary Component Carrier andusing Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation. LTE network 101 then switchestheir Primary Component Carrier and their Secondary Component Carrierand disables the LTE channel for the additional UEs 110-112 that areusing the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but not fortheir Primary Component Carrier and using Inter-Band CarrierAggregation.

In some examples, after disabling the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 thatare using the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but notfor their Primary Component Carrier, LTE network 101 identifiesadditional UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel for their PrimaryComponent Carrier but not for their Secondary Component Carrier andusing Intra-B and Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. LTE network 101then switches their Primary Component Carrier and their SecondaryComponent Carrier and disables the LTE channel for the additional UEs110-112 that are using the LTE channel for their Secondary ComponentCarrier but not for their Primary Component Carrier and using Intra-Band Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation.

In some examples, after disabling the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 thatare using the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but notfor their Primary Component Carrier, LTE network 101 identifiesadditional UEs 110-112 that are using the LTE channel for their PrimaryComponent Carrier but not for their Secondary Component Carrier andusing Intra-B and Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. LTE network 101 thenswitches their Primary Component Carrier and their Secondary ComponentCarrier and disables the LTE channel for the additional UEs 110-112 thatare using the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but notfor their Primary Component Carrier and using Intra-B and ContiguousCarrier Aggregation.

In some examples, LTE network 101 compares a number of UEs 110-112 usingCarrier Aggregation on the LTE channel to a Carrier Aggregationadmission threshold. If the number of UEs 110-112 using CarrierAggregation on the LTE channel exceeds the Carrier Aggregation admissionthreshold, then LTE network 101 identifies UEs 110-112 that are usingthe LTE channel for the Secondary Component Carrier but not for thePrimary Component Carrier.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of LTE communicationsystem 100 to control Carrier Aggregation. LTE network 101 wirelesslyexchanges (201) data over an LTE channel with UEs 110-112. LTE network101 compares (202) a number of UEs 110-112 using the LTE channel to anadmission threshold. If the number of UEs 110-112 exceeds the admissionthreshold, then LTE network 101 identifies (202) UEs 110-112 that areusing the LTE channel for a Carrier Aggregation Secondary ComponentCarrier but not for a Carrier Aggregation Primary Component Carrier. LTEnetwork 101 disables (203) the LTE channel for UEs 110-112 that areusing the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier but not fortheir Primary Component Carrier.

FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of LTE communication system 100 tocontrol Carrier Aggregation. LTE network transceiver 130 wirelesslyexchanges data over an LTE channel with UE 110 by using CarrierAggregation. LTE data processing system 131 compares a number of UEs110-112 using the LTE channel to an admission threshold. If the numberof UEs 110-112 exceeds the admission threshold, then LTE data processingsystem 131 identifies UE 110 that is using the LTE channel for a CarrierAggregation Secondary Component Carrier but not for a CarrierAggregation Primary Component Carrier. LTE data processing system 131then disables the LTE channel UE 110 that is using the LTE channel fortheir Secondary Component Carrier but not for its Primary ComponentCarrier.

FIG. 4 illustrates LTE communication system 400 to control CarrierAggregation. LTE communication system 400 is an example of LTEcommunication system 100, although LTE communication system 100 may usealternative configurations and operations. LTE communication system 400includes eNodeBs 401-403 and UEs 410-414. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thedotted lines paired with the solid lines between UEs 410-414 and eNodeBs401-403 indicate Primary Component Carriers to exchange signaling anddata, and the single solid lines between UEs 410-414 and eNodeBs 401-403indicate Secondary Component Carriers to exchange additional data.

Still referring to FIG. 4, UE 410 exchanges signaling and data witheNodeB 402 over a Primary Component Carrier and additional data witheNodeBs 401 and 403 over Secondary Component Carriers. UE 411 exchangessignaling and data with eNodeB 403 over a Primary Component Carrier andadditional data with eNodeB 401 over two Secondary Component Carriers.UE 412 exchanges signaling and data with eNodeB 402 over a PrimaryComponent Carrier and additional data with eNodeB 401 over a SecondaryComponent Carrier. UE 413 exchanges signaling and data with eNodeB 401over a Primary Component Carrier and additional data with eNodeB 402over a Secondary Component Carrier. UE 414 exchanges signaling and datawith eNodeB 401 over a Primary Component Carrier.

Referring to FIG. 5, Channels within Band A and Band B are aggregated toillustrate the use of Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation, Intra-B andNon-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation, and Intra-Band Contiguous CarrierAggregation. As indicated in FIG. 5, eNodeB 401 allocates adjacentChannels in a Band for Intra-Band Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. Forexample, Channel 2 and Channel 3 are adjacent in Band A. eNodeB 401allocates non-adjacent Channels in a Band for Intra-Band Non-ContiguousCarrier Aggregation. For example, Channel 2 and Channel 4 arenon-adjacent in Band B. eNodeB 401 allocates Channels in different Bandsfor Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation. For example, Channel 4 in Band A andChannel 1 in Band B. FIG. 5 also indicates that filled Resource Blocksrepresent data links and unfilled Resource Blocks represent signalinglinks. In should be noted that each Primary Component Carrier contains aResource Block for signaling and a Resource Block for data.

Still referring to FIG. 5, Table 1 indicates channel allocations byeNodeB 401 for UEs 410-414. As indicated in Table 1, UE 410 usesInter-Band Carrier Aggregation and is allocated to use Resource Blocks 1and 2 of Channel 1 in Band A as a Primary Component Carrier and ResourceBlock 9 of Channel 4 in Band A and Resource Block 10 of Channel 1 inBand B for Secondary Component Carriers. UE 411 uses Intra-BandContiguous Carrier Aggregation and is allocated to use Resource Blocks3, 4, and 5 of Channel 2 in Band A as a Primary Component Carrier andResource Block 6 of Channel 3 in Band A for Secondary ComponentCarriers.

UE 412 uses Intra-B and Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation and isallocated to use Resource Blocks 11 and 12 of Channel 2 in Band B as aPrimary Component Carrier and Resource Block 16 of Channel 4 in Band Bfor a Secondary Component Carrier. UE 413 uses Intra-Band ContiguousCarrier Aggregation and is allocated to use Resource Blocks 14 and 15 ofChannel 4 in Band B as a Primary Component Carrier and Resource Block 13of Channel 3 in Band B for a Secondary Component Carrier. UE 414 doesnot use Carrier Aggregation and is allocated to use Resource Blocks 7and 8 of Channel 3 in Band A for its Carrier.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of LTE communicationsystem 400 to control Carrier Aggregation for UEs. In a first operation,eNodeB 401 wirelessly exchanges data over LTE channels with UE 410-414.eNodeB 401 then compares the number of UEs 410-414 using the LTE channelto an admission threshold. If the number of UEs 410-414 exceeds theadmission threshold, then eNodeB 401 identifies if any of UEs 410-414are using the LTE channel for a Secondary Component Carrier but not fora Primary Component Carrier and using another LTE channel for anotherSecondary Component Carrier. In this example, UE 410 and UE 411 areusing the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a Secondary Component Carrierbut not as a Primary Component Carrier and using another LTE channel foranother Secondary Component Carrier.

If eNodeB 401 identifies any of UEs 410-414 that are using the LTEchannel for a Secondary Component Carrier but not as a Primary ComponentCarrie, and using another LTE channel for another Secondary ComponentCarrier, then eNodeB 401 determines if any of the identified UEs 410-414is using Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation and disables the LTE channel forUEs 410-414 using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a SecondaryComponent Carrier but not as a Primary Component Carrier, using anotherSecondary Component Carrier, and using Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation.In this example, eNodeB 401 determines that UE 410 is using Inter-BandCarrier Aggregation and disables the LTE channel for UE 410.

eNodeB 401 then compares the number of UEs 410-414 using the LTE channelto the admission threshold. If the number of UEs 410-414 exceeds theadmission threshold, then eNodeB 401 determines if any of the identifiedUEs 410-414 is using Intra-Band Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation anddisables the LTE channel for UEs 410-414 using the LTE channel witheNodeB 401 as a Secondary Component Carrier but not as a PrimaryComponent Carrier, using another Secondary Component Carrier, and usingIntra-Band Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation.

Still referring to FIG. 6, eNodeB 401 then compares the number of UEs410-414 using the LTE channel to the admission threshold. If the numberof UEs 410-414 exceeds the admission threshold, then eNodeB 401determines if any of the identified UEs 410-414 is using Intra-BandContiguous Carrier Aggregation and disables the LTE channel for UEs410-414 using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a Secondary ComponentCarrier but not for a Primary Component Carrier, using another SecondaryComponent Carrier, and using Intra-Band Contiguous Carrier Aggregation.In this example, eNodeB 401 determines that UE 411 is using the LTEchannel with eNodeB 401 for a Secondary Component Carrier but not for aPrimary Component Carrier, using another Secondary Component Carrier,and using Intra-Band Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. Therefore eNodeB401 disables the LTE channel for UE 411.

In a next operation, eNodeB 401 compares the number of UEs 410-414 usingthe LTE channel to the admission threshold. If the number of UEs 410-414still exceeds the admission threshold, then eNodeB 401 identifies if anyof UEs 410-414 are using the LTE channel for a Secondary ComponentCarrier but not for a Primary Component Carrier. In this example, UE 412is using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a Secondary ComponentCarrier but not for a Primary Component Carrier.

If eNodeB 401 identifies any of UEs 410-414 that are using the LTEchannel for a Secondary Component Carrier but not for a PrimaryComponent Carrier, then eNodeB 401 determines if any of the identifiedUEs 410-414 is using Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation and disables the LTEchannel for UEs 410-414 using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as aSecondary Component Carrier but not as a Primary Component Carrier andusing Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation.

eNodeB 401 then compares the number of UEs 410-414 using the LTE channelto the admission threshold. If the number of UEs 410-414 still exceedsthe admission threshold, then eNodeB 401 determines if any of theidentified UEs 410-414 using the LTE channel for a Secondary ComponentCarrier but not for a Primary Component Carrier is using Intra-BandNon-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation and disables the LTE channel for UEs410-414 using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a Secondary ComponentCarrier and using Intra-Band Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. In thisexample, UE 412 is using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a SecondaryComponent Carrier and using Intra-Band Non-Contiguous CarrierAggregation. Therefore, eNodeB 401 disables the LTE channel for UE 412.

Still referring to FIG. 6, eNodeB 401 then compares the number of UEs410-414 using the LTE channel to the admission threshold. If the numberof UEs 410-414 still exceeds the admission threshold, then eNodeB 401determines if any of the identified UEs 410-414 is using Intra-BandContiguous Carrier Aggregation and disables the LTE channel for UEs410-414 using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a Secondary ComponentCarrier but not for a Primary Component Carrier and using Intra-BandContiguous Carrier Aggregation.

In a next operation, eNodeB 401 compares the number of UEs 410-414 usingthe LTE channel to the admission threshold. If the number of UEs 410-414still exceeds the admission threshold, then eNodeB 401 identifies if anyof UEs 410-414 are using the LTE channel for a Primary Component Carrierbut not for a Secondary Component Carrier and responsively switchestheir Primary Component Carrier and their Secondary Component Carrier.In this example, UE 413 is using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as aPrimary Component Carrier but not for a Secondary Component Carrier.Therefore, eNodeB 401 switches the Primary Component Carrier and theSecondary Component Carrier for UE 413.

eNodeB 401 then determines is any of the switched UEs 410-414 using theLTE channel for a Secondary Component Carrier but not for a PrimaryComponent Carrier is using Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation and disablesthe LTE channel for UEs 410-414 using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 asa Secondary Component Carrier but not for a Primary Component Carrierand using Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation.

eNodeB 401 then compares the number of UEs 410-414 using the LTE channelto the admission threshold. If the number of UEs 410-414 still exceedsthe admission threshold, then eNodeB 401 determines if any of theswitched UEs 410-414 using the LTE channel as a Secondary ComponentCarrier is using Intra-Band Non-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation anddisables the LTE channel for UEs 410-414 using the LTE channel witheNodeB 401 as a Secondary Component Carrier and using Intra-BandNon-Contiguous Carrier Aggregation.

Still referring to FIG. 6, eNodeB 401 then compares the number of UEs410-414 using the LTE channel to the admission threshold. If the numberof UEs 410-414 still exceeds the admission threshold, then eNodeB 401determines if any of the switched UEs 410-414 is using Intra-BandContiguous Carrier Aggregation and disables the LTE channel for UEs410-414 using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a Secondary ComponentCarrier and using Intra-Band Contiguous Carrier Aggregation. In thisexample, UE 413 is using the LTE channel with eNodeB 401 as a SecondaryComponent Carrier and using Intra-B and Non-Contiguous CarrierAggregation. Therefore, eNodeB 401 disables the LTE channel for UE 413.

FIG. 7 illustrates eNodeB 701 to control LTE CA for UE. eNodeB 701 is anexample of LTE communication system 100 and eNodeB 401, although thesesystems may use alternative configurations and operations. eNodeB 701comprises wireless transceiver system 702, network transceiver system703, and data processing system 704. Data processing system 704 includesprocessing circuitry 705 and memory system 706 that stores software 707.Software 707 comprises software modules 711-713.

Wireless transceiver system 702 and network transceiver system 703comprise components that communicate over communication links such asnetwork cards, ports, RF transceivers, processing circuitry andsoftware, or some other communication components. Wireless transceiversystem 702 may be configured to use Carrier Aggregation to allow UEs touse multiple signaling channels simultaneously. Network transceiversystem 703 may be configured to use TDM, IP, Ethernet, opticalnetworking, wireless protocols, backhaul signaling, or some othercommunication format—including combinations thereof.

Processor circuitry 705 comprises microprocessor and other circuitrythat retrieves and executes operating software 707 from memory system706. Processor circuitry 705 may comprise a single device or could bedistributed across multiple devices—including devices in differentgeographic areas. Processor circuitry 705 may be embedded in varioustypes of equipment. Examples of processor circuitry 705 include centralprocessing units, application specific processors, logic devices, and/orany type of computer processing devices—including combinations thereof.When executed by processing circuitry 705, software 707 directs dataprocessing system 704 to operate eNodeB 701 as described herein.

Memory system 706 comprises a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium readable by processing system 705 and capable of storing software707, such as a disk drive, flash drive, data storage circuitry, or someother hardware memory apparatus—including combinations thereof. Memorysystem 706 can include volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data—including combinations thereof. Memorysystem 706 may comprise a single device or could be distributed acrossmultiple devices—including devices in different geographic areas. Memorysystem 706 may be embedded in various types of equipment. In someexamples, a computer apparatus could comprise memory system 706 andsoftware 707.

Software 707 may be implemented in program instructions and may beexecuted by data processing system 704. Software 707 comprises computerprograms, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable processinginstructions. Software 707 may include an operating system, utilities,drivers, network interfaces, applications, or some other type ofsoftware. In this example, software 707 comprises scheduler module 711,Carrier Aggregation module 712, and UE module 713, although software 707could have alternative configurations in other examples. When executedby processing circuitry 705, software 707 directs data processing system704 to operate as described herein.

In particular, when executed by processing circuitry 705, schedulermodule 711 directs data processing system 704 to schedule ResourceBlocks for uplinks and downlinks to wirelessly exchange data over an LTEchannel with UEs. When executed by processing circuitry 705, CarrierAggregation module 712 directs data processing system 704 to aggregatecarriers and drive scheduler module 411 to allocate multiple ResourceBlocks for UEs.

When executed by processing circuitry 705, UE module 713 directs dataprocessing system 704 to compare a number of the UEs using the LTEchannel to a channel admission threshold. When executed by processingcircuitry 705, UE module 713 also directs data processing system 704 toidentify UEs that are using the LTE channel for a Carrier AggregationSecondary Component Carrier but not for a Carrier Aggregation PrimaryComponent Carrier if the number of UEs exceeds the channel admissionthreshold. When executed by processing circuitry 705, UE module 713 alsodirects data processing system 704 to disable the LTE channel for UEsthat are using the LTE channel for their Secondary Component Carrier butnot for their Primary Component Carrier.

Referring back to FIG. 1, LTE network 101 transfers data between UEs110-112 and external communication systems, such as Internet, virtualnetworks, and other external systems. LTE network 101 comprises networkelements, such as access nodes, management nodes, gateway systems,server systems, or other data communication network element—includingcombinations thereof. LTE network 101 may also include other componentssuch as a router, server, data storage system, and power supply. LTEnetwork 101 may reside in a single device or may be distributed acrossmultiple devices.

UEs 110-112 include communication transceivers, such as antennas, ports,interfaces, processing circuitry, and memory. UEs 110-112 may betelephones, computers, e-books, mobile Internet appliances, wirelessnetwork interface cards, media players, game consoles, or some otherwireless communication apparatuses—including combinations thereof.

Wireless links 120-122 use the air, space, or other materials totransport media, and communicate with wireless devices using LTE format.Wireless links 120-122 each comprises one or more wireless communicationlinks provided over an associated wireless frequency spectrum orwireless frequency band, and can use various protocols, such as LTE,LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP), Orthogonal Frequency-DivisionMultiple Access (OFDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access(W-CDMA), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA), or some other cellular or wireless communication format,including combinations, improvements, or variations thereof.

Wireless links 120-122 may each include many different signal sharingcomponents, such as resource blocks, access channels, paging channels,notification channels, forward links, reverse links, usercommunications, communication sessions, overhead communications, carrierfrequencies, other channels, timeslots, spreading codes, transportationports, logical transportation links, network sockets, packets, or othercommunication components.

Communication link 123 may communicate using air, space, glass, metal,or other materials to transport media. Communication link 123 could usevarious communication protocols, such as Time Division Multiplex (TDM),Internet Protocol (IP), Ethernet, backhaul signaling, wirelesscommunication signaling, or some other communication format—includingcombinations thereof. Communication link 123 could be a direct link ormay include intermediate networks, systems, or devices.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of theinvention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Notethat some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of theinvention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, theinvention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above,but only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a Long Term Evolution (LTE)access node to serve User Equipment (UEs) with a wireless CarrierAggregation (CA) data communication service, the method comprising: inthe LTE access node, a data processing system scheduling CA PrimaryComponent Carriers (PCCs), CA intra-band Secondary Component Carriers(SCCs) and CA inter-band SCCs for the UEs; in the LTE access node, awireless transceiver wirelessly exchanging user data with the UEs basedon the scheduling to serve the UEs with the CA PCCs, the CA intra-bandSCCs, and the CA inter-band SCCs; and in the LTE access node, the dataprocessing system detecting that a number of the UEs exceeds a UEthreshold, and in response, identifying ones of the UEs that use an LTEchannel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs anddisabling the LTE channel for the ones of the UEs that use the LTEchannel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the data processing system scheduling the CAintra-band SCCs comprises scheduling CA intra-band non-contiguous SCCs.3. The method of claim 2 wherein the wireless transceiver wirelesslyexchanging the user data with the UEs based on the scheduling to servethe UEs with the CA intra-band SCCs comprises the wireless transceiverwirelessly exchanging the user data with the UEs based on the schedulingto serve the UEs with the CA intra-band non-contiguous SCCs.
 4. Themethod of claim 3 further comprising, after disabling the LTE channelfor the UEs that use the LTE channel for their CA inter-band SCCs butnot for their CA PCCs, identifying other ones of the UEs that use theLTE channel for their CA intra-band non-contiguous SCCs but not fortheir CA PCCs and disabling the LTE channel for the other ones of theUEs that use the LTE channel for their CA inter-band non-contiguousSCCs.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the data processing systemscheduling the CA intra-band SCCs comprises scheduling CA intra-bandcontiguous SCCs.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the wirelesstransceiver wirelessly exchanging the user data with the UEs based onthe scheduling to serve the UEs with the CA intra-band SCCs comprisesthe wireless transceiver wirelessly exchanging the user data with theUEs based on the scheduling to serve the UEs with the CA intra-bandcontiguous SCCs.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising, afterdisabling the LTE channel for the UEs that use the LTE channel for theirCA inter-band non-contiguous SCCs but not for their CA PCCs, identifyingadditional ones of the UEs that use the LTE channel for their CAintra-band contiguous SCCs but not for their CA PCCs and disabling theLTE channel for the additional ones of the UEs that use the LTE channelfor their CA inter-band contiguous SCCs.
 8. The method of claim 1further comprising, in the LTE access node, the data processing systemenabling the CA data communication service for the UEs based on UElocation.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising, in the LTE accessnode, the data processing system enabling the CA data communicationservice for the UEs based on UE Access Point Name (APN).
 10. The methodof claim 1 wherein the LTE access node comprises an eNodeB.
 11. A LongTerm Evolution (LTE) access node to serve User Equipment (UEs) with awireless Carrier Aggregation (CA) data communication service, the LTEaccess node comprising: a data processing system configured to scheduleCA Primary Component Carriers (PCCs), CA intra-band Secondary ComponentCarriers (SCCs), and CA inter-band SCCs for the UEs; a wirelesstransceiver configured to wirelessly exchange user data with the UEsbased on the scheduling to serve the UEs with the CA PCCs, the CAintra-band SCCs, and the CA inter-band SCCs; and the data processingsystem configured to detect that a number of the UEs exceeds a UEthreshold, and in response, identify ones of the UEs that use an LTEchannel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs anddisable the LTE channel for the ones of the UEs that use the LTE channelfor their CA inter-band SCCs but not for their CA PCCs.
 12. The LTEaccess node of claim 11 wherein the data processing system is configuredto schedule CA intra-band non-contiguous SCCs.
 13. The LTE access nodeof claim 12 wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to wirelesslyexchange the user data with the UEs based on the scheduling to serve theUEs with the CA intra-band non-contiguous SCCs.
 14. The LTE access nodeof claim 13 further comprising, after disabling the LTE channel for theUEs that use the LTE channel for their CA inter-band SCCs but not fortheir CA PCCs, the data processing system configured to identify otherones of the UEs that use the LTE channel for their CA intra-bandnon-contiguous SCCs but not for their CA PCCs and disable the LTEchannel for the other ones of the UEs that use the LTE channel for theirCA inter-band non-contiguous SCCs.
 15. The LTE access node of claim 14wherein the data processing system is configured to schedule CAintra-band contiguous SCCs.
 16. The LTE access node of claim 15 whereinthe wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly exchange the userdata with the UEs based on the scheduling to serve the UEs with the CAintra-band contiguous SCCs.
 17. The LTE access node of claim 16 furthercomprising, after disabling the LTE channel for the UEs that use the LTEchannel for their CA inter-band non-contiguous SCCs but not for their CAPCCs, the data processing system is configured to identify additionalones of the UEs that use the LTE channel for their CA intra-bandcontiguous SCCs but not for their CA PCCs and disable the LTE channelfor the additional ones of the UEs that use the LTE channel for their CAinter-band contiguous SCCs.
 18. The LTE access node of claim 11 furthercomprising, in the LTE access node, the data processing systemconfigured to enable the CA data communication service for the UEs basedon UE location.
 19. The LTE access node of claim 11 further comprising,in the LTE access node, the data processing system configured to enablethe CA data communication service for the UEs based on UE Access PointName (APN).
 20. The LTE access node of claim 11 wherein the LTE accessnode comprises an eNodeB.